This article by Consumer Reports, reported on in the Washington Post provides a good summary and use case as to why keeping a personal health record (PHR) can be valuable to your overall health. It discusses how many of us see multiple doctors that use different types of electronic health record systems (EHRs) and that because of this it is likely that are health information is difficult to find in one place. Maintaining your own PHR can help to create a unified place to store your important health information.

Dr. Kevin Pho offers consumers and patients some personal advice on how best to present your personal research to a doctor trying to assit you with your ailments. In short, an informed patient is absolutely a good thing to be, but be willing to listen to your doctor since they are observing the uniqueness of the situation of being exactly you.